Blog

After 8 years at a wonderful space for Balk Biological's headquarters we have moved.   Our building was sold and we have relocated to Carlsbad.  The new space has a permanent taco truck out front and ,for our out-of-town clients, we are very close to Palomar airport...

San Clemente Island is the southern-most island of the Channel Islands. It is owned and operated by the United States military, which makes visiting the island a rare occasion for civilians, and even military personnel. The island serves as the final training ground...

When it comes to the most well-researched bird in North America, few, if any, can top the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). This critically endangered new world vulture was on the brink of extinction, primarily due to lead poisoning, until 1987 when all...

It’s a jump to the left, and a step to the right! You can’t put your hands on your hips because you’re holding a phone. You could bring your knees in tight and do the pelvic thrust if you really wanted to make for a fun day in the field! Biological monitoring with the...

The Balk Biological team got together last month to celebrate the holidays.  The food and drinks were delicious. The white elephant present exchange was hilarious despite the absence of the glorious Bird Hat from the white elephant contributions.  The Bird Hat was...

  Happy New Year, everyone!

In case you missed it: Botanists Jessie Vinje (Conservation Biology Institute) and Margie Mulligan (San Diego Natural History Museum Botany Department Associate), with identification help from John Rebman (San Diego Natural History Museum Curator of Botany) and J....

My love for plants started at a young age with orchids. Growing up, I would spend a lot of time with my great aunt Frieda who grew all kinds of orchids. She had the classic Phalaenopsis, the lush Cymbidiums, and dainty Epidendrums. She had a kitchen table that was...

I’ve recently planted milkweed in my yard in hopes of attracting one of the largest and most beautiful butterflies in North America to feed and lay eggs in my garden – the monarch butterfly. Chances are you’ve seen this easily recognizable orange and black beauty...

Last month one of our Senior Biologists, Brynne Mulrooney, suggested goat yoga as a team building activity.  She enticed us with the idea of baby goats and lunch.  Everyone was excited.  Those who had a scheduling conflict were bummed.  None, of us really thought...